Introduction
À la fin de 1684, deux flibustiers dépendant de la colonie française de Saint-Domingue s'en prirent à des navires de la Jamaïque. Ce fut d'abord le capitaine Bréha lequel, aux cayes du sud de Cuba, retint contre leur gré des pêcheurs de tortue, puis le capitaine Yankey, lequel captura un sloop anglais à la côte de Carthagène. Le gouverneur de la Jamaïque envoie le capitaine David Mitchell, commandant le H.M.S. Ruby, un grand vaisseau de guerre de la Royal Navy, au Petit-Goâve, demander réparation pour les pirateries des deux flibustiers. Les instructions que Molesworth donne à Mitchell ainsi que la lettre adressée au sieur de Cussy, le gouverneur de Saint-Domingue, dont l'officier de la Royal Navy est porteur, sont reproduits ici. Cependant Mitchell n'obtiendra rien des Français lors de sa mission au Petit-Goâve: voir sa correspondance avec l'officier français commandant au Petit-Goâve en l'absence de Cussy.
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Instructions from Colonel Hender Molesworth to Captain Mitchell, R.N., H.M.S. Ruby November 23, 1684 [3 décembre 1684]. You will forthwith sail to Petit Guavos and deliver my letter to the Governor, demanding satisfaction for a sloop of this Island unlawfully seized by Captain Yankey. If the Governor justifies Yankey, you will protest against the injustice of the proceedings of the privateers you will consider Yankey as a pirate and tell the Governor that you will treat him as such. But if he lay the blame on the Intendant of Martinique we must carry our complaint elsewhere. If you meet with Yankey on your way you will endeavour to seize him and carry him with you to Petit Guavos. If the Governor justifies him you will deliver Yankey to him; if not, you will bring Yankey here for a trial. You will demand delivery of all English subjects engaged in privateering, but not compel it by force. source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1681-1685: no. 1958. Colonel Hender Molesworth to the Governor of Petit Guavos Jamaica, November 26, 1684 [6 décembre 1684]. Since my assumption of the Government there has sailed from this port Captain John Thorpe of the sloop James, with Mr. James Wale, owner of the sloop. It appears by several depositions that she was by Captain Yankey, a privateer belonging to your port. under French colours, who, having plundered the ship and kept the men prisoners for six weeks, at length carried them to Petit Guavos, where without proof of any kind the Intendant and Council condemned sloop and goods as lawful prize. I am surprised at this act of hostility, considering the friendly relations between the two crowns. The pretence by which it is sought to justify it is very frivolous, and I send Captain Mitchell to protest against the proceedings of the Council as to refuse to accept a share due to you as Governor, so that you cannot but be sensible of the justice of my complaint. I hope therefore that you will give me satisfaction, as I should give it to you in the like case. A privateer, Captain Braham, belonging to your port, has lately robbed several of our turtling sloops to the value of 500£. I trust that you will grant us satisfaction, or give us leave to take it. I enclose copy of the Treaty of Ratisbonne, concluded between France and Spain, 19th August 1684. I beg that you will cause all Englishmen on the privateer ships in your harbour to be delivered to Captain Mitchell. source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1681-1685: no. 1964. |
| LES ARCHIVES DE LA FLIBUSTE |
| sommaire || summary |
| Le Diable Volant |